Fernandez & Garcia Epic 10-Day Self-Drive Safari In Rwanda

When Spanish adventurers Fernandez and Garcia Murilo decided to explore Rwanda, they chose the road less traveled—literally. Rather than joining organized tour groups or hiring a driver, the intrepid duo opted for a self-drive safari, renting a robust 4×4 Land Cruiser from Rwanda Car Rental Services. Their ten-day journey through the Land of a Thousand Hills would take them from the bustling streets of Kigali to misty mountain gorillas, tranquil lakeshores, and ancient rainforests, proving that Rwanda’s compact geography packs an extraordinary diversity of experiences.

The Journey Begins: Kigali City

Fernandez and Garcia Murilo collected their rental Land Cruiser in Rwanda from our Kigali office, receiving a comprehensive vehicle briefing and route recommendations from the friendly staff. The powerful 4×4 would prove essential for navigating Rwanda’s varied terrain, from smooth urban highways to challenging mountain tracks.

Their first day was dedicated to exploring Kigali, Africa’s cleanest capital city. The duo marveled at the city’s remarkable cleanliness, organized traffic, and vibrant atmosphere. They wandered through local craft markets in Kimironko, sampling Rwandan coffee at boutique cafés, and soaking in the energy of this rapidly developing metropolis. The city’s hilly landscape offered stunning panoramic views, with the Land Cruiser handling the steep inclines effortlessly.

However, the most profound moment came at the Kigali Genocide Memorial. Walking through the exhibitions documenting the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, Fernandez and Garcia Murilo found themselves deeply moved by Rwanda’s tragic history and inspired by its remarkable journey toward reconciliation and rebuilding. The memorial’s gardens, where over 250,000 victims are laid to rest, provided a somber yet beautiful space for reflection on humanity’s capacity for both darkness and redemption.

Wild Encounters: Akagera National Park

Day three saw the adventurers heading east toward Akagera National Park, Rwanda’s premier savanna wildlife destination. The 2.5-hour drive showcased Rwanda’s changing landscapes, from Kigali’s urban sprawl to rolling hills dotted with tea plantations, eventually giving way to the drier savanna ecosystem bordering Tanzania.

Akagera’s Big Five status made it a highlight of their itinerary. Over two days, Fernandez and Garcia Murilo self-drove through the park’s network of tracks, their Land Cruiser proving indispensable on the sometimes rough terrain. They encountered elephants bathing in Lake Ihema, witnessed a pride of lions lounging beneath acacia trees, and spotted the rare eastern black rhino—a conservation success story after these magnificent creatures were reintroduced to the park.

The self-drive experience allowed them complete freedom to linger at sightings, adjusting their pace to the rhythms of the wild. Mornings began with early game drives when predators remained active, while afternoons were spent at their lakeside lodge, watching hippos surface in the golden light. The boat safari on Lake Ihema revealed crocodiles sunbathing on muddy banks and countless waterbirds, adding an aquatic dimension to their safari experience.

Into the Mist: Gorilla Trekking at Volcanoes National Park

The journey northwest to Volcanoes National Park represented Rwanda’s most dramatic scenery yet. Driving through terraced hillsides where every available inch of land was cultivated, Fernandez and Garcia Murilo witnessed Rwandan agriculture’s intensity firsthand. The volcanic peaks of the Virunga Mountains emerged on the horizon, their summits often wrapped in mystical clouds.

Gorilla trekking demanded leaving their Land Cruiser behind for hiking boots and walking sticks. After an early morning briefing at park headquarters in Musanze, they joined their tracking group and set off into the bamboo forests. The trek proved challenging, navigating steep muddy slopes and thick vegetation, but the moment they encountered their assigned gorilla family made every difficult step worthwhile.

Sitting just meters from a massive silverback and watching juvenile gorillas play with innocent curiosity, Fernandez and Garcia Murilo experienced one of wildlife watching’s most privileged and profound moments. The hour spent with these gentle giants passed far too quickly, leaving them with full memory cards and fuller hearts. The encounter reinforced why Rwanda’s conservation efforts, including the high permit fees, remain crucial for protecting these critically endangered primates.

Lakeside Serenity: Lake Kivu

After the intensity of gorilla trekking, Lake Kivu offered the perfect respite. The scenic drive west took them through mountain landscapes before revealing the expansive lake stretching toward the Democratic Republic of Congo. Fernandez and Garcia Murilo based themselves in Gisenyi, where they spent two blissful days alternating between lakeside relaxation and exploration.

They kayaked along the shoreline, visited local fishing villages, and sampled fresh tilapia at beachside restaurants. The Land Cruiser enabled spontaneous detours to coffee plantations overlooking the lake, where they learned about Rwanda’s renowned coffee production from farm to cup. Sunset boat rides revealed the lake’s peaceful beauty, with fishermen casting nets against the backdrop of volcanic mountains silhouetted in the fading light.

Canopy Adventures: Nyungwe Forest National Park

The final adventure led southeast to Nyungwe Forest National Park, home to one of Africa’s oldest and most biodiverse rainforests. The drive through Rwanda’s tea country, with endless green plantations cascading down hillsides, created a mesmerizing landscape that seemed almost too perfectly manicured to be real.

Nyungwe’s famous canopy walkway provided the journey’s most exhilarating moment. Suspended 50 meters above the forest floor, the 160-meter walkway offered a bird’s-eye perspective of the ancient rainforest. Fernandez and Garcia Murilo spotted colobus monkeys swinging through the canopy below, heard the calls of over 300 bird species, and gained newfound appreciation for this critical ecosystem’s complexity and fragility.

They also tracked chimpanzees through the forest, though these agile primates proved more elusive than their gorilla cousins. The search itself became an adventure, revealing Nyungwe’s remarkable biodiversity, from colorful butterflies to medicinal plants used by local communities for generations.

Reflections on the Road

As Fernandez and Garcia Murilo returned their rental Land Cruiser to Rwanda Car Rental Services, they reflected on an extraordinary journey that exceeded all expectations. The self-drive format provided unmatched flexibility and intimacy with Rwanda’s landscapes, while the reliable 4×4 handled everything from city streets to mountain tracks with confidence.

Rwanda proved that small countries can pack enormous experiences, with world-class wildlife encounters, humbling historical lessons, and stunning natural beauty all accessible within compact distances. For adventurous travelers willing to navigate independently, a self-drive safari through Rwanda offers the freedom to discover this remarkable nation at your own pace, creating memories as diverse and beautiful as the Land of a Thousand Hills itself.

Are planning a safari in Rwanda and would love to book a rental land cruiser for self drive adventure- we will be more than happy to offer you our services. Whether you want a rooftop tent or pop-up roof Land cruiser- we got it very good rates that will fit your budget and interests. Simply contact us now by sending an email to [email protected] or call us now on +256-700135510 to speak with the reservations team.